TAEKWONDO HOOK KICK TUTORIAL
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Standard Hook Kick Technique·Simon Scher
In this tutorial you will learn how to perform and perfect a FULL RANGE OF MOTION hook kick. You will be surprised at th…
Standard Hook Kick Technique
Genus鉤蹴り（基本型）(Kagi-geri (Kihon-gata))
TraditionalTranslation: standard hook kick technique
Overview
The Standard Hook Kick Technique is executed by chambering the knee, extending the leg past the target as if delivering a side kick, then sharply bending the knee and pulling the heel back to contact the target — typically the temple or jaw — with the flat of the heel. [1] The hips remain turned over throughout the motion, and the hooking retraction is powered by the hamstrings and hip rotators. [1],[2] This technique is most effective when set up by feints or preceding kicks that make the opponent expect a linear attack. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The hook kick strikes with the heel in a hooking trajectory that comes around the opponent's guard from the outside, making it effective against fighters who defend against linear kicks but leave the sides of the head exposed. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
The hook kick is a commonly scored technique in World Taekwondo competition, where turning and spinning variants receive bonus points for technical difficulty. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist
Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type
Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity
Position & Entry
From boxing stance (after jab-cross) — Rotate the lead hip, swing the lead arm in a horizontal arc, elbow at 90°, target the jaw or body
As counter (check hook) — Pivot on the lead foot as the opponent charges in, throw the hook while stepping off the centre line
From short range — In close range or clinch, shorten the arc and use hip rotation for a tight hook
Variants
Standard hook — horizontal-arc punch targeting the jaw or temple
Tight hook — compact, short-range hook for close-quarters fighting
Body hook — targeting the ribs or liver with a downward-angled hook
Check hook — pivoting on the lead foot while throwing the hook as a counter
Videos
![[HD] THE COMPLETE ROUNDHOUSE KICK TUTORIAL | INVINCIBLEWORLDWIDE](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0FqpYIvv9vc/hqdefault.jpg)
[HD] THE COMPLETE ROUNDHOUSE KICK TUTORIAL | INVINCIBLEWORLDWIDE
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Standard Hook Kick Technique·Invincible Worldwide
Download this exclusive "Self Defense Kicks 101" Free here: https://scienceofskill.com/Kicking-Technique-Video This vid…
Taekwondo For Beginners: Basic Kicking Technique
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Standard Hook Kick Technique·World Taekwondo Academy
Learn "The One Move That Can Save Your Life" plus get more free martial arts video training and tips at http://WorldTae…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard hook kick is a powerful and deceptive striking technique that combines chambering, extension, and controlled retraction. Simon Scher emphasizes the full range-of-motion hook kick as foundational, distinguishing it from casual variations by stress on proper body mechanics and hip engagement. The technique begins with the standing foot pivoted, the kicking leg chambered fully at the chest with heel aimed at target, then extends diagonally forward before the knee bends to strike. Critically, the leg retracts back to chamber position post-strike, preventing the body from rotating fully and exposing the center to the opponent. Scher recommends progressive drills using balance props (cups with balls or water) to develop control, emphasizing that power derives from gluteal and hip muscles rather than arm counterbalance. The technique accommodates two striking methods: pointed-toe contact for controlled sparring and flexed-heel impact for maximum power in board-breaking. Scher also notes the hook kick's utility in combination sequences and its sneaky arcing trajectory from open stance, which allows the foot to strike targets even if the knee contacts an opponent's block. The technique can be performed from stationary, step, turn, spin, or jumping variations. While World Taekwondo Academy and Invincible Worldwide's transcripts focus on front snap and roundhouse kicks respectively, their emphasis on knee alignment, hip rotation, and chamber-based power generation aligns with Scher's foundational principles for controlled, repeatable kicking mechanics.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Simon Scher — TAEKWONDO HOOK KICK TUTORIAL: Comprehensive technical breakdown of full range-of-motion hook kick, emphasizing chambering, rechamber mechanics, hip-driven power generation, striking surface variation (pointed toe vs. flexed heel), balance training progressions, combination sequencing, and sneaky arcing applications.
- World Taekwondo Academy — Taekwondo For Beginners: Basic Kicking Technique: Foundational kicking principles applicable across techniques: knee alignment with target line, proper chambering form, and muscle memory development through repetitive floor-based and standing drills.
- Invincible Worldwide — [HD] THE COMPLETE ROUNDHOUSE KICK TUTORIAL | INVINCIBLEWORLDWIDE: Hip engagement mechanics, knee-pointing guidance for target alignment, full extension principles for reach and power maximization, and controlled drilling methodology using partner resistance.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Whipping heel strike; high KO potential to temple
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All kicks prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFKyokushin — Legal at full power to body and head {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinn...
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓From stance, chamber the kicking knee across the body
✓Extend the leg laterally as if throwing a side kick, aiming the foot past the opponent's lead shoulder
✓Once the foot passes the target, sharply flex the knee and pull the heel back toward the jaw or temple
✓The heel makes contact as it sweeps across the target — the impact is in the hooking return motion
✓Keep the arms in guard throughout — the long technique sequence requires constant head protection
✓The support foot pivots as the kick extends, then continues rotating slightly as the heel hooks
✓Return the leg to a chambered position after the hook and reset to stance — do not let the leg drop
Common Mistakes
!Rushing through the extension and starting the hook too early, before the leg passes the target
!Not bending the knee sharply enough during the hook phase — a slight bend produces a weak sweep
!Landing on the heel of the support foot, which locks the hip and prevents the pivot needed for the hook
!Dropping the guard hand on the kicking side because the torso rotates during the extension
!Extending at the wrong height — the kick must extend at head level for the hook to reach the jaw
!Over-rotating during the hook and spinning past the target
!Not practising on targets: use a partner holding a pad behind their shoulder to simulate the hooking angle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Setup with Straight Punch — use a jab or cross to occupy the opponent's guard
2Pivot the Lead Foot — rotate on the ball of the foot to generate hip torque
3Arc the Arm — swing the fist in a horizontal arc at the target angle
4Follow Through — drive through the target and return to guard position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Kukkiwon Taekwondo Textbook (Kukkiwon, 2006) [3] Best Karate Vol. 5 (Nakayama, 1979)
2BookChampionship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Taekwondo: The State of the Art (Jun, 1989)
Official karate technique names (和語/漢語)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Dynamic Karate (Nakayama, 1966) [2] Kukkiwon Taekwondo Textbook (Kukkiwon, 2006) [3] Best Karate Vol. 5 (Nakayama, 1979)
6CitationChampionship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Taekwondo: The State of the Art (Jun, 1989)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip rotation, horizontal arm acceleration, tight elbow angle
Favours
compact build for short-range hooks, strong core
Key muscles
obliques, hip rotators, pectorals, biceps, forearms
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the proper chamber and extension for a hook kick?
Start with a fully chambered leg, then extend it out to the front diagonal. A straight leg pulls through in line with the hip, then the knee bends to strike the target. Simon Scher emphasizes re-chambering at the end of the kick is essential, especially if you want to chain multiple kicks together.
How should I position my hands when throwing a hook kick?
Your hands should be separate from the kick and should not serve as a counterbalance. One hand can be placed by your face while the other stays at your side, but they should remain still when you're throwing the kick.
Should I point my foot or flex it when executing a hook kick?
It depends on your purpose. When sparring and being courteous, point your foot and strike with your toes. When breaking a board, hitting a pad, or demonstrating real power, use the back of the heel with a flexed foot. Simon Scher recommends practicing both variations by alternating between them.
Why is the pull-back important in a hook kick?
The pull-back keeps you from going full-facing and presenting your center to your opponent, making the technique safer and more effective in sparring.
What's an advantage of the hook kick in combat?
The hook kick is a sneaky kick—if you throw it in close and your opponent blocks, your knee may hit their block but the foot will still come around and strike them.
How does the Standard Hook Kick Technique work?
The Standard Hook Kick Technique is executed by chambering the knee, extending the leg past the target as if delivering a side kick, then sharply bending the knee and pulling the heel back to contact the target — typically the temple or jaw — with the flat of the heel. The hips remain turned over throughout the motion, and the hooking retraction is powered by the hamstrings and hip rotators.
Where does the Standard Hook Kick Technique come from?
The standard hook kick technique has been practised in taekwondo and karate competition for decades, with its effectiveness demonstrated in numerous tournament settings. The technique remains a scoring and knockout weapon in World Taekwondo Olympic-format sparring.
Is the Standard Hook Kick Technique legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: banned — All kicks prohibited in boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, chudan (body) kick scores 2 points, jodan (head) kick scores 3 points; Kyokushin: legal — Legal at full power to body and head; WT: legal — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinning body 4 points, spinni…; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
How dangerous is the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
Danger rating 6/10. High — whipping heel strike; high KO potential to temple
How do I set up the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
The standard setup chain: Setup with Straight Punch → Pivot the Lead Foot → Arc the Arm → Follow Through.
How do I defend against the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
Standard counters include: Check (Shin Block) — raise the shin to intercept the kick before it lands / Catch and Sweep — catch the kicking leg and sweep the standing leg / Step Inside — close distance inside the kick's effective range to smother it.
What are the variants of the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
Common variants: Standard hook (horizontal-arc punch targeting the jaw or temple); Tight hook (compact, short-range hook for close-quarters fighting); Body hook (targeting the ribs or liver with a downward-angled hook); Check hook (pivoting on the lead foot while throwing the hook as a co…).
How effective is the Standard Hook Kick Technique in competition?
The hook kick is a commonly scored technique in World Taekwondo competition, where turning and spinning variants receive bonus points for technical difficulty.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
Top errors to watch for: Rushing through the extension and starting the hook too early, before the leg passes the target / Not bending the knee sharply enough during the hook phase — a slight bend produces a weak sweep / Landing on the heel of the support foot, which locks the hip and prevents the pivot needed for the hook / Dropping the guard hand on the kicking side because the torso rotates during the extension.
What are other names for the Standard Hook Kick Technique?
The Standard Hook Kick Technique is also known as Kagi-geri (Kihon-gata), Standard Ura Mawashi Geri, Standard Huryeo Chagi, Heel Hook Kick.